Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov
The aging patriarch of the Karamazov family. He is surly and emotional, generally disliked by everyone. He is eventually murdered by Smerdyakov.
Dmitri Fyodorovich Karamazov
Fyodor’s oldest son (whose mother is Adelaida). He is impulsive and quick to anger like his father, but he has a faith in God that Fyodor does not share. He is convicted of killing Fyodor.
Ivan Fyodorovich Karamazov
Fyodor’s second son (his first by Sofia). He is intellectual and cynical, and he becomes very ill when his father is murdered because he feels that he is very much to blame.
Alexei (Alyosha) Fyodorovich Karamazov
Fyodor’s youngest son (his second by Sofia). He is deeply religious and caring, and he tries to follow in the footsteps of Father Zossima, the elder at the monastery whom he respects very much.
Pavel Fyodorovich Smerdyakov
Rumored to be Fyodor’s illegitimate son by Lizaveta, he has grown up as a servant to Fyodor. This epileptic boy is enamored of Ivan’s ideas about life, and he murders Fyodor.
Adelaida
Fyodor’s first wife and Dmitri’s mother.
Sofia
Fyodor’s second wife and Ivan's and Alyosha’s mother.
Father Ferapont
Another monk at the monastery. He serves as a foil to Father Zossima, disagreeing with Zossima’s ideas of love and compassion.
Grigory Vassilyevich
Fyodor’s servant; Smerdyakov’s adopted father.
Agrafena (Grushenka) Alexandrovna
The “she-devil” whom Fyodor and Dmitri both pursue.
Madame Hohlakov
Lise’s mother.
Lise
The young girl who gets engaged to Alyosha.
Ilusha
The young boy with whom Alyosha becomes close. His illness is a catalyst that brings the other boys together.
Katerina Ivanovna
The girl who is in love with Dmitri and is determined to marry him.
Nikolay (Kolya) Ivanovich Krassotkin
A young boy who looks up to Alyosha.
“Stinking” Lizaveta Smerdyaschaya
The town idiot who gives birth to Smerdyakov (rumored to be Fyodor’s son).
Marfa Ignatyevna
Grigory’s wife.
Mussyalovich
Grushenka’s former lover, who returns to see her.
Mihail Ospovitch Rakitin
A young friend of Alyosha whom Grushanka bribes to bring Alyosha to her.
Captain Snegiryov
Ilusha’s father. He was severely beaten by Dmitri, and Alyosha brings him money from Katerina.
Father Zossima
The elder who takes Alyosha under his wing and urges him to leave the monastery.
